JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman criticises the government’s economic policies, particularly the petroleum levy, accusing the authorities of placing an excessive financial burden on the public
LAHORE: (UrduPoint/Pakistan Point News-July 21st, 2026) Jamaat-e-Islami (JI) has announced a nationwide protest campaign against inflation and rising taxes, declaring that major highways across Pakistan will be blocked on August 7.
Addressing a press conference in Lahore, JI Emir Hafiz Naeem ur Rehman criticised the government’s economic policies, particularly the petroleum levy, accusing the authorities of placing an excessive financial burden on the public.
Questioning the rationale behind the levy, he said it had no connection with the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) and argued that even individuals with no taxable income, including students, were indirectly paying the petroleum levy through fuel prices.
The JI chief described the levy as an unjust tax and vowed that his party would continue its campaign against what it called anti-public economic measures. He said Jamaat-e-Islami would reach out to political parties, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to build a united movement against inflation and excessive taxation.
Hafiz Naeem alleged that the government was collecting nearly Rs1.8 trillion through the petroleum levy. He further claimed that abolishing the levy and other “unjust taxes” could significantly reduce fuel prices, alleging that petrol could become Rs200 per litre cheaper if those charges were removed.
Announcing the next phase of the protest movement, he said Jamaat-e-Islami would stage a countrywide blockade of major highways on August 7 to press its demands.
He added that ambulances and other emergency vehicles would be allowed to pass during the demonstrations to ensure uninterrupted emergency services.
The government has not yet responded to Jamaat-e-Islami’s announcement or the allegations made by the party regarding its taxation policies.
